Manchester United have identified an alternative target to Matthijs de Ligt as Erik ten Hag prepares to miss out on the Juventus star.
Ten Hag is keen to boost his options in defence, with United having conceded the most goals in the top eight of the Premier League. The Dutchman is particularly desperate to bring in a new centre-back, having seen Harry Maguire struggle this term, with Eric Bailly and Phil Jones also set to leave Old Trafford.
His top target was understood to be De Ligt, who enjoyed a successful working relationship under his management at Ajax. The Netherlands international has endured a mixed spell at Juventus since completing a £64million move to Turin in 2019.